Mount St Catherines Primary School, Windmill Hill, Armagh

School of Sanctuary

Mount St. Catherine’s – A School of Sanctuary

In October 2025, Mount St. Catherine’s proudly achieved School of Sanctuary status, awarded by Belfast City of Sanctuary, following a year‑long journey of learning, reflection, and whole‑school commitment. This recognition honours our dedication to providing a school environment where every child feels welcomed, valued, and safe, especially those who may be seeking comfort, stability, or refuge.

As a Sacred Heart school, our mission and identity guided every step of the process.
Our five core values—Inclusivity, Respect, Openness, Kindness, and Excellence, shaped the work we undertook throughout the year. These values are lived each day by pupils and staff, and they are reflected in our interactions, our curriculum, and our wider school culture.

Central to our Sacred Heart ethos is our school motto:

“Open hearts to love and learn.” 💕

Becoming a School of Sanctuary is a powerful expression of this motto in action. It represents our commitment to opening our hearts to every child and family, celebrating diversity, promoting understanding, and ensuring that every member of our community experiences belonging.

Throughout the accreditation process, our pupils explored themes of empathy, global awareness, and social justice. We strengthened community links, developed inclusive practices, and showcased the many ways Mount St. Catherine’s embraces differences and responds with compassion.

Receiving School of Sanctuary status marks not an ending, but a promise:

a commitment to continue building a school where love, understanding, and welcome are at the centre of all we do.